12:30 REPORT

Happy Wednesday. Capitol Hill feels a bit giddy today, with lawmakers expected to leave soon to campaign in the final weeks leading up to the election. October is the new August, apparently! Here’s what’s happening today:

• The House and Senate are both expected to pass a funding extension.
• Harris is sitting down with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle for an interview.
• Hurricane Helene is barreling toward Florida.
• Today is the new National Lobster Day! You can thank Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King for that.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. 

💰 In Congress

Maybe this one will do the trick:

After weeks of dramatic speculation over how the government would be funded after Sept. 30, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) backed off his partisan funding plan. Now, the House and Senate are expected to pass a clean extension today.

The order of events: The House is expected to vote midafternoon to fund the government through mid-December. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Senate will also vote on the proposal this afternoon. He said he will not entertain any amendments that could delay the process.

💡Why Johnson backed off: Up until a few days ago, Johnson was adamant that he would push through a more partisan government funding plan that included a Trump-backed voting proposal — one that Democrats would never be on board with. He didn’t have enough votes, and the politics of a shutdown are atrocious for Republicans less than six weeks from Election Day.

What’s hanging over everyone’s heads: Hurricane Helene is brewing and is expected to intensify into a major hurricane later today, potentially hitting Florida tomorrow. That could impact travel for lawmakers. Keep scrolling for more on the storm.

As Taylor Swift says,........

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